The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released a preliminary report on the Alaska Airlines Boeing Max 9 midair blowout, revealing that four key bolts were missing from the door plug.
The NTSB wrote, “Overall, the observed damage patterns and absence of contact damage or deformation around holes associated with the vertical movement arrestor bolts and upper guide track bolts in the upper guide fittings, hinge fittings, and recovered aft lower hinge guide fitting indicate that the four bolts that prevent upward movement of the MED plug were missing before the MED plug moved upward off the stop pads.”
“The manufacturing/human performance group has done a complete records review from the time the event airplane left the Boeing factory to the time of the accident and found no evidence that the left MED (mid-exit door) plug was opened after leaving Boeing’s facility,” the agency continued.
The incident prompted U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to ground similar Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliners for inspections, resulting in thousands of flight cancellations.
Following investigations, Alaska Airlines and United Airlines’ 737 MAX 9 planes have been cleared for travel.
The FAA expressed concerns about the current system’s safety and oversight, emphasizing the need for changes and increased scrutiny.
The head of the FAA, Mike Whitaker said, “I certainly agree that the current system is not working, because it’s not delivering safe aircraft.”
“So we have to make changes to that,” he continued.
“There have been issues in the past, and they don’t seem to be getting resolved so we feel we need a heightened sense of oversight to get after that,” explained Whitaker.
“I think we’re gonna need more boots on the ground, we’re gonna need more inspectors. We don’t have many inspectors on the aircraft certification side of the house,” concluded the agency head.
Boeing’s CEO acknowledged accountability and announced immediate actions to strengthen quality, including opening their factory to customers for additional reviews.
Boeing President and CEO Dave Calhoun said, “Whatever final conclusions are reached, Boeing is accountable for what happened. An event like this must not happen on an airplane that leaves our factory. We simply must do better for our customers and their passengers.”
“We are implementing a comprehensive plan to strengthen quality and the confidence of our stakeholders. It will take significant, demonstrated action and transparency at every turn – and that is where we are squarely focused,” he continued.
“This added scrutiny – from ourselves, from our regulator and from our customers – will make us better. It’s that simple,” added Calhoun.
Most Popular:
Bombshell Lawsuit Filed By Biden’s Sexual Assault Accuser
Controversial Way E. Jean Carroll Will Spend Money From Trump Trial
